The next morning we met in the sitting area of the hotel.
"Everyone ready? We will walk a little, find either a hotel or a place to camp then make it to the airship port." I started.
Everyone nodded. We made our way out and started heading towards the port.
"Should we stop and get something to eat before getting too far?" Tsubaki suggested.
"I am ok with that." Kid agreed.
"Same." Everyone agreed.
Everyone nodded. We found a small diner not too far from the hotel. We sat for a little while discussing how we were going to get there and arguing with Dragedge again about the airship. A few hours later we resumed our walk.
"It's going to be another two or so days to get there." I continued.
I coughed a little. 'Why can't I shake this?' I thought to myself.
"You're still not feeling good?" Hatori asked.
"I can't seem to shake this one. It's bad." I responded.
"I am not looking forward to that." Dragedge whined.
"We are all well aware of that." I responded, flicking him.
We noticed a crowd of people running.
"What's happening?" Black Star asked, grabbing one of the people running.
"The warehouse is being attacked." They responded, pointing to a large building.
We looked at eachother and started running towards the warehouse. I called my father and got word of a kishin in the area. We were given the go ahead to take care of it.
"We don'tdont know how strong this kishin is or if he is alone. We need to be careful." I reminded everyone.
Everyone nodded. We opened the door. After entering one of the rooms I noticed a familiar smell. We opened the door cautiously. The gas hit me like a freight train.
"Hatori, Dragedge…" is all I was able to get out before my mind went foggy.
I stumbled a little. Dragedge recognized it instantly. Everyone else looked worried and confused.
"Crap." He exclaimed.
"What's wrong? Grim, are you ok?" Victor asked.
I couldn't answer. I fell to my knees.
"It's the same gas as before…" Dragedge continued.
I could hear what was going around me but couldn't respond.
"We need to air out the warehouse and find the witch and kishin immediately. Hatori, and Victor stay with her, it's about to get bad, Kid if you want you can stay too. The rest come with me. We need to be fast." Dragedge instructed.
Everyone nodded.
'I woke up on the ground, everything was white and foggy. I could hear someone calling my name.
"Grim!" I heard in the distance. Following the voice, I saw Kid looking around.
"Kid." I sighed with relief.
The closer I walked the further he felt away from me. Suddenly he vanished, leaving behind a pool of what looked like blood. Confused and panicking, I ran around trying to figure out what was happening. I saw another figure in the distance. Hesitating, I walked closer, it was Dragedge. He was smiling. As I walked closer he too vanished the same way as Kid. Tearing up I felt bits of madness shoot from my body. I ran for what felt like an hour, screaming, crying hoping for anyone to hear me. Felt a chill flow through my body, through the tears and madness I saw yet another figure. Fearing the outcome I decided to stand still. As he came closer to view my breath left my body. It was my old friend Jet.'
(The others ran to find the kishin and the witch. Grim lay unconscious on the concrete floor, Hatori, Kid, Victor and Noire standing guard. Suddenly bits of madness started shooting from her body.
"Stand back, I can resist her madness easily. It may be safer if I try to use a calming aura." Hatori ordered.
The two agreed. He knelt beside her gently cradling her creating a visibly strong calming aura. He noticed after reducing the madness bursts her skin was cold.
"Victor, we may need some healing magic now. She's cold and not breathing." He panicked.
Victor and Kid ran back over. Victor used as much magic as he could muster.
"It's not working," He stammered.
A wave of panic washed over all of them. Victor started cpr. Hatori and Kid watched in horror. She wheezed slightly, after a few seconds. Hatori cradled her again.)
'What are you doing here? How are you here?' I croaked, my voice shaking.
"You need to run and wake up, they need you." He said pointing in the other direction.
I turned where he was pointing.
"What do you…" He vanished before I could finish.'
("Do you think she will be ok?" Maka asked.
"With those three there I think she will be just fine. We need to find the kishin or kishins and witch fast." Dragedge responded, a hint of concern in his voice.
The warehouse was about 6600 square feet and had boxes everywhere.
"Would splitting up be easier? You, Maka and Soul go that way. Tsubaki, Liz, Patty and I go this way?" Black Star suggested
"Not a bad idea. Be very careful, don't be scared to head back to the front or find us if things go south." Dragedge continued.
They nodded and went separate directions. Dragedges' group found the witch in record time.
"I remember you, from years back. You ruined my plans before. I have had time to refine my gas." the witch started when she saw them.
"I am not going to let you get away this time." He vowed.
The group got ready. The battle went on for a few minutes.
Black Stars group was successful in finding the kishin.
"Assassins rule number one: silence." Black Star started.
"We don't have time Black Star." Liz pointed out.
"Let me handle this." Black Star yelled.
He charged in with Tsubaki in hand. Liz followed with Patty. They made quick work of the kishin. The two sets regrouped in the center.
"Were you able to find the kishin?" Dragedge questioned.
"Yes. He was defeated. Were you able to find the witch?" Liz replied.
"We were. Let's get some of the bay doors open and air the place out, maybe scan for some more kishins just in case." Dragedge instructed.)
'I resumed running, tears streaming down my face, I stumbled and layed there for what felt like an hour until I heard another voice call my name. I pushed myself off the ground, but I saw grass instead of a gray void. 'What is happening?' I kept thinking to myself. Following the voice I noticed a cliff. 'Oh no. I think I know what is going to happen.' I trembled, not wanting to walk further. I saw Hatori.
"Grim." He started to say.
I reached for him, but the ground beneath him crumbled before I could get to him.
"Hatori!" I screamed, reaching the edge.
"Why is this happening?" I cried falling to my knees, covering my face.
I felt a presence behind me. I turned to see the people I care about most laid out dead with Jet, my first friend standing in the middle of them with a sinister smile and glowing eyes almost. I felt sick to my stomach, everything went black.'
I slowly opened my eyes to a blurry warehouse ceiling in Hatoris arms. Victor, Kid and Noire standing guard. I could feel Hatori's calming aura.
"Hatori." I whispered, weakly.
"Grim. thank god you're awake." He exclaimed, pulling me closer. His eyes were red.
I put my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. I started crying. He hugged a little tighter. Victor and Kid release a sigh of relief. The others came back shortly after.
"Is she awake?" Tsubaki asked.
"She just did. But I would give her space because she is not doing well." Hatori warned.
Everyone nodded. Victor was the only one aloud to come closer to use some healing magic if needed.
"We were able to open the bay doors. The kishin teamed up with the witch that we fought from before luckily we were able to take care of both. I know if the witch taught anyone else about the gas or not." Dragedge continued.
"Grim, are you able to walk?" Maka asked.
I shook my head.
"I can carry her. It might be easier on her anyway." Hatori offered.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help in the fight, again…" I whispered, trying to talk.
"It's ok. You couldnt with the gas." Soul said.
"Try not to talk, you will only wear yourself out. Everything is ok." Dragedge erged.
I nodded, resting my head on Hatori's shoulder.
"We should get out of here though." Maka suggested.
We all agreed. After walking for a bit we found a spot to make camp. Hatori and Kid helped me get settled before heading off to sleep.